Xinhua citing city officials says the attackers, who were shot or subdued by police, are thought to be affiliated with Xinjiang (province) separatist forces, an allusion to Muslim Uighurs, and that authorities consider the incident "an organized, premeditated violent terrorist attack."

"The attack came ahead of the opening of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on Monday and the National People's Congress on Wednesday."

"This is traditionally the most politically sensitive time of the year, with the government eager to maintain stability and paint a rosy picture as thousands of delegates and government leaders head to the capital."

Bloomberg reports that China's state media "have already labeled it a terrorist attack and referred to the incident as "China's '9-11.'"